Proper maintenance on your Apache is essential to its
longevity and overall performance. Routine maintenance will cut down on downtime
in the field and costly repairs. Some maintenance checks only need performed
once a year or once a month, while others need to performed every week or daily
before and after every use. Let’s review the daily maintenance checklist on the
Apache 20 series.
Before taking your Apache sprayer out in the field, it is imperative to check oil and fluid levels. Starting off, check your engine oil, and always use a 15w40 when adding more. Beyond this, check the engine coolant level, transmission oil level and the hydraulic fluid levels. A sensor is located in the top of the radiator that will alert the operator when the coolant is low. To check hydraulic fluid levels, look at the indicator gauge on the right hand side of the hydraulic tank. The level should be between half and three-quarters full when the machine is shut off. Top off any fluids that are low before using the sprayer.
After completing fluid checks, inspect the A/C belt and the serpentine belt tension to ensure nothing has loosened or is out of place. While inspecting the belt tension, also look for cracks in the grooves of the belt. Cracks are a sign of wear on the belt and potentially the belt could break if not replaced when cracks are visible.
A daily maintenance check would not be complete without inspecting the engine air intake system. This involves not only the air filter housing, but also inspecting the connections from the air filter box to the air intake for holes and leaks. Also, make sure the charge air tube clamps are tight and that the boots are in good shape. Regular checks will let you know when it is time to replace parts before they break.
Serving as one of the most important features on the sprayer, the boom needs regular maintenance as well. Grease the boom daily before using your Apache by greasing the rack lift parallel bars, boom fold pivots, sway pivots and cylinder flag pins after every eight hours of run time.
Don’t forget to check the tire pressure and add air if needed. Depending on the model of tires your pressure will vary. We recommend 35 PSI on the front tires and 49 PSI on the rear tires for standard tires. The narrow tires should be set at 41 PSI on the front tires and 78 PSI on the rear tires. Tire pressure is important because it can affect the size of the footprint your sprayer leaves in the field which contributes to the amount of compaction.
Finally, before using your Apache, review the field computer calibrations and check each boom calibration, valve calibration, meter calibration and speed calibration.
Oil and Fluid Levels
Before taking your Apache sprayer out in the field, it is imperative to check oil and fluid levels. Starting off, check your engine oil, and always use a 15w40 when adding more. Beyond this, check the engine coolant level, transmission oil level and the hydraulic fluid levels. A sensor is located in the top of the radiator that will alert the operator when the coolant is low. To check hydraulic fluid levels, look at the indicator gauge on the right hand side of the hydraulic tank. The level should be between half and three-quarters full when the machine is shut off. Top off any fluids that are low before using the sprayer.
After completing fluid checks, inspect the A/C belt and the serpentine belt tension to ensure nothing has loosened or is out of place. While inspecting the belt tension, also look for cracks in the grooves of the belt. Cracks are a sign of wear on the belt and potentially the belt could break if not replaced when cracks are visible.
Engine Air Intake System
A daily maintenance check would not be complete without inspecting the engine air intake system. This involves not only the air filter housing, but also inspecting the connections from the air filter box to the air intake for holes and leaks. Also, make sure the charge air tube clamps are tight and that the boots are in good shape. Regular checks will let you know when it is time to replace parts before they break.
Booms
Serving as one of the most important features on the sprayer, the boom needs regular maintenance as well. Grease the boom daily before using your Apache by greasing the rack lift parallel bars, boom fold pivots, sway pivots and cylinder flag pins after every eight hours of run time.
Tire Pressure
Don’t forget to check the tire pressure and add air if needed. Depending on the model of tires your pressure will vary. We recommend 35 PSI on the front tires and 49 PSI on the rear tires for standard tires. The narrow tires should be set at 41 PSI on the front tires and 78 PSI on the rear tires. Tire pressure is important because it can affect the size of the footprint your sprayer leaves in the field which contributes to the amount of compaction.
Once your tires are set, ensure that all of your lighting
and flashers work properly and that your Slow Moving Vehicle sign is set. It is
important to maintain visibility on the road.
Calibration Check
Finally, before using your Apache, review the field computer calibrations and check each boom calibration, valve calibration, meter calibration and speed calibration.
After using your Apache, it is important to rinse out the
wet system to prevent chemicals mixing with the next application. Here is a
video guide on flushing your Apache’s wet system.
In addition to flushing the wet system, clean the boom
strainers and main product strainer to ensure chemicals are not left lingering.
Finish your daily checklist by walking around the machine to inspect for
product leaks or hydraulic leaks.
Routine maintenance on your Apache will keep you in the
fields instead of spending valuable time fixing costly repairs.
This checklist is designed for the 20 series Apache, and older models may need additional maintenance. For more information, check out an Apache sprayer clinic.
This checklist is designed for the 20 series Apache, and older models may need additional maintenance. For more information, check out an Apache sprayer clinic.
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